Systems and methods employing a bite block insert for positioning and stabilizing external instruments deployed within the body

• US 7,160,270 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2001
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mederi Therapeutics, Inc. (Respiratory Technology Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: West, Scott, Utley, David S, Gaiser, John W
• Primary Examiner(s): JIMENEZ, LOAN B
• Application Number:
  US10/017,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20020162555A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,852 Days
• Field of Search: 604/174, 128/177, 128/200.26, 128/206.25, 128/206.29, 128/207.14, 128/207.15, 128/DIG.6, 128/26, 606/130, 606/151, 606/157, 606/108, 600/417, 600/429, 600/235, 600237-244, 378/177, 378/193, 378/195, 378204-205, 378/208, 433/37, 433/41, 433/43, 433/57, 433/61, 433/140
• US Class Current: 604/174
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0493 with means for protecting the tube from damage caused by the patient's teeth, e.g. bite block
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/024 having a clip or clamp system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/06 Intravenous injection support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for positioning and stabilizing an external instrument during insertion of the instrument through the oral cavity (e.g., insertion of a catheter through the oral cavity and into the esophagus or cardia for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)). The systems and methods provide a gripping tool for association with a bite block, capable of selectively moving between an open position in which the instrument may be inserted or removed, and a closed position in which the external instrument is held in a fixed position.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising

a bite block configured for positioning within the oral cavity of a patient without use of an adhesive and including a tubular member sized and configured for passage into the oral cavity, the tubular member being adapted to receive an external instrument,

first and second gripping jaws carried by the bite block, and

an actuator mechanism comprising a cam surface capable of selectively moving the jaws between an open spaced-apart position and a closed adjacently-spaced position, the jaws being positioned to be free of contact with the patient'"'"'s teeth and tongue in both the open and closed positions.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein at least one of the jaws and the actuator mechanism possess a resilient plastic memory.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2

wherein the resilient plastic memory biases the jaws toward the closed position.

4. An apparatus as in claim 2

wherein the resilient plastic memory biases the jaws toward the open position.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein the jaws are positioned, in the closed position, to hold the external instrument.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein the jaws are positioned, in the open position, to permit removal, insertion, or alteration of the position of the external instrument.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein at least one of the jaws and the actuator mechanism are selectively removable from the bite block.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1

wherein the at least one of the jaws and the actuator mechanism are integral with the bite block.